One defendant completes probation, another has term extended during July 7 Ozark County Law Day
Circuit Judge Craig Carter processed a total of seven civil cases and 19 criminal cases during the July 7 session of Ozark County Law Day. Updates in the criminal cases listed on the docket are provided below.
Failed to appear for hearing,
asked to ‘show cause’ next time
Albert Lee Stanford, who pleaded guilty to assault by operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in an injury in December 2017, failed to appear for a scheduled probation-violation hearing. Carter ordered Stanford to reappear for the hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, and “show cause” for his absence at the July 7 hearing. Stanford was originally sentenced to seven years in prison, but the sentence was ordered under Missouri Revised Statute 559.115, which allows a defendant to complete a 120-day institutional drug treatment program within the prison system and be released on probation for the rest of the sentence term. One probation-violation report has been filed in the case.
Completed probation and discharged
Bruce A. Henson, who pleaded guilty to illegal blood alcohol content (persistent offender) appeared for a probation-status hearing. His probation is complete. He was discharged, and the case was closed.
Probation term extended
Logan Bazzle, who pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in April 2018, appeared for a probation-violation hearing. He was continued on probation, and his probation term was extended for a year. He was released from Ozark County Sheriff’s Department custody. Bazzle was originally given a suspended sentence and ordered to complete “drug court,” a program administered by the court aimed at helping defendants overcome drug addiction. Probation citation or violation reports have been filed six times since his original 2018 guilty plea: In August, September, October and December 2018. He was then ordered to complete a 120-day post-conviction drug program in prison in January 2019. Another probation-violation report was filed in July 2020 and again in May 2021.
Probationers’ hearings
Anthony S. Collins, who pleaded guilty to burglary and forgery in November 2020, appeared for a probation-violation hearing. The hearing was continued to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 21. He was originally given a suspended sentence and placed on probation for a term of five years. Probation citation or violation reports have been filed three times in the eight months since his guilty plea: twice in April and once in May.
Skyler Ledbetter, who pleaded guilty to terroristic threatening in October 2019, appeared for a probation-violation hearing. According to online records, Carter told Ledbetter that he should complete his GED/HISET exam before his next court hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, or he should “bring a jail toothbrush,” with him, indicating he will likely be sent to prison for the violation.
He was originally given a suspended imposition of sentence and placed on probation for a term of two years. Probation citation or violation reports have been filed four times since his original 2019 guilty plea: in February, May and December 2020 and June 2021.
Michael Shane Merriman, who pleaded guilty to delivery of a controlled substance in February 2019, appeared for a probation-violation hearing. The court noted that Merriman has had new criminal charges recently. The hearing was continued to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4. He was originally given a 10-year prison sentence, but the sentence was ordered under Missouri Revised Statute 559.115, which allows a defendant to complete a 120-day institutional drug treatment program within the prison system and be released on probation for the rest of the sentence term. Probation violation or citation reports have been filed three times since his original 2019 guilty plea: twice in April and once in June.
Jesse Osterkamp, (also, see the entry under “Scheduled…Aug. 18”) charged with non-support of a child with total arrears in excess of 12 monthly payments due under a child-support order, appeared for a probation-violation hearing. Another hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.
Scheduled or continued
to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18
Jesse W. Osterkamp, (also, see above entry under “Probationers’ hearings”) charged in three separate cases with two counts of stealing ($750 or more) and one count of stealing (all other property), was released from custody with supervision by Court Probationary Services. Osterkamp is scheduled to return for a plea hearing or trial setting.
Scheduled or continued
to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 21
Michael L. Maloy, charged with possession of a controlled substance, appeared for a plea hearing or trial setting. The court ordered Maloy to be screened for drug court before his next hearing.
Scheduled or continued
to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4
Sharon K. Ashmead, charged in two separate cases with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, had her plea hearing or trial setting continued.
Scheduled or continued
to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8
Calvin Grisham, charged with discharging a firearm into a habitable structure and armed criminal action, had his plea hearing or trial setting continued.
Timothy K. Sprague, charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm and delivery of a controlled substance, appeared for a plea hearing or trial setting. It was continued.
Colt R. York, charged with stealing and property damage, appeared for a plea hearing or trial setting. It was continued. Online records show York posted a $2,000 cash bond on June 23 and was released from custody.
No public updates
Beth Ann Von Elling, who pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in November 2018, was scheduled to appear for a probation-violation hearing. The case is not currently available for public view, which can occur for various reasons; therefore no public updates are available.